Palaoa Sperm Whale Necklace

• Palaoa measures about 32 mm long
• All sterling silver (18K gold vermeil or gold on request)
• Hand-carved and cast
• Lead and nickel free
• Made in Hawaii
• Choose from chains or leather cord
• Leather cords come with adjustable clasp (sterling). Please tell us if you'd like a longer leather cord.
• You may also like our Humpback necklace 
• More information on vermeil can be found in the blog

About Palaoa - Sperm Whales

Palaoa - Sperm Whale Palaoa are the largest toothed whale in the ocean. They are found around the world and are present in Hawaii year round - but are seen only rarely.  Historically they were hunted to the brink of extinction for valuable oil in their heads, and while this is no longer a threat, populations are still trying to recover. Their large, block-shaped heads are about one-third of their length, and are the only living cetacean with asymmetrical blowholes. Like other Odontocetes (toothed whales) sperm whales use clicks for echolocation. Fun fact - whales use a click pattern to communicate with other whales in the region when they are about to dive, and this pattern changes by region.

In ancient Hawaii, there is no record of hunting Palaoa, but niho palaoa (sperm whale teeth) and bones from carcasses that washed ashore were sacred, symbolizing a chief's rank and authority.  As such, only ali’i (royalty) were allowed to wear them.

Sperm Whales are listed as Endangered globally.